Dispenser for stacks of sheets



July 1, 1941. F. L. BROERENL ETAL DISPENSER FOR STACKS OF SHEETS FiledDec. 16, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mel/565e,

y 1- F. 1.. BROEREN ETAL 2,247,800

DISPENSER FOR STACKS OF SHEETS I Filed Dec. 16, 1940 &

Patented July 1, 1941 Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSER FOR STACKSOFSHEETS Frank L. Brocren, Neenah, and Archie S; Krueger,

Green Bay, Wis.,assignors to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 16, 1340, SerialNo. 370,416

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a dispensing cabinet for a stack of sheetssuch as waxed paper, napkins, and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a dispenser forsuitably retaining a stack of sheets, and to permit withdrawal of onesheet at a time therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which willpermit removal of only one sheet at a time while retaining the remainingstack of sheets within the dispenser and protecting the same againstcontamination by dust or other foreign substances.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stack of sheets whichare suitably notched at certain portions thereof for facilitatingretention within a suitable dispenser and to permit withdrawal of onlyone sheet at a time therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing cabinet soconstructed as to suitably retain a stack of notched sheets whereby asingle sheet at a time can be removed from the dispenser withoutdisturbing the remaining sheets of the stack.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and annexed drawings wherein Figure 1 is aperspective view of the dispenser illustrating an embodiment of theinvention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the dispenser,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the dispenser,

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view taken on lines 5-5 ofFigure 3.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, thedispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention consistsof a bottom It), opposed end walls 14, and opposed side walls 20. Guideslots l6 are provided in the end walls I 4 extending vertically andpreferably for the full height of the end walls as shown in Figure 1.The upper edge portions of the end walls may be bent outwardly toprovide flange portions I5 for convenience of handling the dispenser aswell as for serving as a stop portion for lugs 26 integral with covermembers and 21 which are slidably engaged in the slots l6 for guidingthe cover members 25 and 21 at all positions thereof within thedispenser.

The cover members 25 and 21 are adapted to rest freely undertheinfluence o f-gravity uponthe top of the stack of sheets A. In'order tofurther assist in guiding the covers 25 and 21 the side walls 20 areprovidedwith a pair of opposed guide flange members 22 and 23 which maybe struck out from the side walls as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. Theportions of the covers adjacent these vertical guide flange members arecut out as indicated by numeral 35 in Figure 3 for slidable engagementtherewith. The cover members 25 and 21 will thus be guided at all timesby the lugs 26 and the vertical flange members 22 and 23. The coversnormally rest in horizontal position on the stack simply by force ofgravity and automatically adjust themselves to the height of the stackwithin the dispenser as the sheets are removed therefrom.

The opposed free edges 2-5-11 andZl-a of the covers are preferably cutout in a curved contour as indicated in Figures land 3 and the freeedges are spaced apart a suitable distance so as to expose the uppermostsheet in the stack A. In order to facilitate ready grasping of theuppermost sheet the bottom IU of the dispenser is provided with anelevated ridge l2 having an inverted V-shaped contour illustrated inFigures 3 and 4. This elevated portion serves to bend or arch upwardlythe stack of sheets resting thereon whereby the uppermost sheet in thestack will be bent outwardly beyond the free edges 25a and 21-411, ofthe covers as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 so that the sheet can bereadily grasped by the fingers and readily removed from the dispenser.The sheets are preferably provided with a pair of opposed cut-outV-shaped notches 3%] which are adapted to engage the vertical guideflanges 22 and 23 provided in the side walls of the dispenser. By thismeans the stack of sheets will be more securely retained within thedispenser and when the uppermost sheet is removed the adjacent sheetsbelow will not tend to be removed because the notches 30 will be inengagement with the flange members 22 and 23 and the body of the sheetis held down by the weight of the covers 25 and 21. The dispenser may bealso provided with suitable leg portions H for supporting the dispenserupon a table, counter, or any other surface on which it may be placed.

The dispenser is advantageously constructed from sheet metal Or anyother suitable material. When the stack of sheets within the dispenserhas been completely used up the covers 25 and 21 can be hingedoutwardly, the lugs 26 permitting the covers to be hinged upwardly andoutwardly of the dispenser. A new stack of sheets is then placed withinthe dispenser and the covers are then replaced in normal position so asto rest upon the stack in the position illustrated in Figure 1. Thedispenser is then ready for immediate use. Any suitable sheet materialmay be utilized in this dispenser such as waxed paper, paper napkins,and the like. The dispenser is particularly adapted for use with verythin waxed tissue as the sheets may be withdrawn one at a time withoutwithdrawing adjacent sheets. The dispenser also protects the stack ofsheets from being contaminated by dust or dirt as only the uppermostsheet is exposed within a very small area between the opposed free edgesof the covers. The dispenser requires no springs or other mechanismwhich might get out of order. It is very simple in construction andefficient in operation.

It is obvious that numerous changes and modifications may be made in theconstruction, and

that all such variations and modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the following claim.

We claim:

A dispensing cabinet for a stack of sheets having a bottom, opposed sidewalls and end walls, vertically extending guide slots in the end walls,cover members having lug members receivable and slidable in said slots,said cover members being adapted to rest freely under the influence ofgravity on said stack of sheets, the free edges of said cover membersbeing spaced apart to expose the uppermost sheet in said stack, a pairof opposed vertically extending guide fiangemembers in the said sidewalls, each of said cover members being cut away adjacent said guideflange members for slidable engagement therewith, and said bottom havinga portion thereof elevated and aligned between the opposed free edges ofsaid cover members, whereby the stack of sheets is curved upwardly forpermitting ready grasping of the uppermost sheet.

FRANK L. BROEREN. ARCHIE S. KRUEGER.

